THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 22, 1994 TAG: 9410220428
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
The breakup of Pernell ``Sweetpea'' Whitaker's chief handlers - co-manager Lou Duva and trainer George Benton - will be finalized today in Atlantic City, N.J.
Benton left Virginia Beach on Friday, saying he has no plans to return to the city where Whitaker trains. Whitaker doesn't fight again until February or March and is not currently training.
``It looks like I'm done with Duva, so I'm going to have to be done with Whitaker,'' Benton said. ``I can't live with this man Duva no more.''
Benton left town to work the corner for Junior Jones in a bout today in Atlantic City. Duva said he and other representatives of Main Events will meet with Benton and his lawyer today for what Duva described as a parting of the ways.
Benton has trained Whitaker for all but one of the Virginia Beach boxer's 36 professional fights. Whitaker is a five-time world champion and the current World Boxing Council welterweight champion who is regarded as the world's finest pound-for-pound fighter.
Whitaker could not be reached for comment Friday.
Benton and Duva have been together 15 years, but had a blowup prior to Whitaker's Oct. 1 title defense at Scope against James ``Buddy'' McGirt. Neither man would give specifics about the dissension, but Duva said Friday problems with Benton are nothing new.
``This has been going on for years,'' said Duva.
Earlier this week, however, Duva bailed Benton out of jail in the middle of the night after Benton was picked up for driving under the influence. And Benton and Whitaker have clearly had a strained relationship for several years. On Wednesday, Duva indicated Benton didn't work hard enough and attempted to exert too much control in training camp.
Benton and Duva have teamed in the corners of world champs Evander Holyfield, Meldrick Taylor, Johnny Bumphus and Rocky Lockridge.
Duva said a meeting will be held soon with Whitaker, co-manager Shelly Finkel, promoter Dan Duva and other members of the camp to determine who should fill Benton's role. Duva said the most likely scenario is for assistant trainer Ronnie Shields to assume the bulk of Benton's duties.
``Don't forget, there's not only Pernell Whitaker, there's a dozen other fighters behind him,'' Lou Duva said. by CNB